Nancy Pelosi basks in Michelle Obama’s softer image

SAN FRANCISCO — Back in June, Nancy Pelosi dialed up Michelle Obama with a request: Would the first lady come to the speaker’s hometown for a big Democratic fundraiser?

After a tumultuous 2008 campaign, Obama wasn’t quite ready to dive back into politics, but she accepted. And the call set up a showcase Monday night of two of the Democratic Party’s most reviled, revered, passionate and polarizing women, heading in dramatically different directions.

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POLITICO 44

Over the past two years, the first African-American first lady — initially considered a liability for her blunt manner and liberal politics — has kept a relatively low profile, carefully cultivated an endearing “mom-in-chief” image. The result: A 62 percent approval rating.

The first female speaker, on the other hand, has run the House with a steely self-assurance, quarterbacking Michelle Obama’s husband’s legislative agenda and earning herself the archvillain’s role in the GOP’s “Fire Pelosi” ads — and a 29 percent approval rating.

“Someone had to do the dirty work, and that's where [Pelosi] is now. She's the lightning rod,” said Anna Plecther, a 36-year-old mother of three from the Bay Area, who arrived early at Monday night’s fundraiser for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which was expected to raise $1.6 million.

“The first lady,” she added, “has managed to stay far away from the fray. She still represents that hope we all want."

Pelosi, with her deep California cash connections, and Obama, who has raised millions at Democratic National Committee functions, are a fundraising dream team. But their presence on the same stage also illustrated one of the enduring truths of American gender politics: High-profile women are most popular when they eschew partisan combat for a more traditional, less threatening role.

Phil Singer, an adviser to Hillary Clinton during her epic 2008 primary campaign, said, “The difference is that Pelosi reflects the burden of governance, and that’s something that Mrs. Obama doesn’t have to deal with as first lady.”

The crowd of 750 that packed the ballroom of the historic Fairmont Hotel nodded with approval when Obama spoke about her father's struggles and how the change her husband had promised wouldn't be easy.

"We got his back!" one woman shouted during the first lady's speech.

At the same time, Obama reminded the crowd that it was Pelosi who has shown the country "what it means to be a powerful woman" with "strength and compassion and that signature steely resolve." She said she would never forget the sight of Pelosi "wielding that gavel" as the first female speaker.

And she joked that she appears so frequently with the speaker’s husband, Paul Pelosi, at spousal events that "I think I spend more time with Paul than I do my own husband.”

Pelosi knows she is going to lose her travel perks as Speaker. Unless she can scam some of Michelle's frequent flyer miles, she'll have to fly coach with the rest of us. Ugh! Imagine Pelosi sitting next to you on one of SouthWest's puddle jumpers all the way across country.

Meanwhile..back at the ranch.... The Republican hero of 1994 ..Speaker of the House Tom (The hammer)Delay?

(CNN) -- Jury selection is scheduled to begin Tuesday in the trial of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who is charged with illegally funneling corporate money to help elect GOP candidates to the Texas legislature.

The Republican was indicted in 2005 on charges he illegally sent $190,000 in corporate money through the Republican National Committee to help elect GOP Texas legislative candidates in 2002.

Meanwhile..back at the ranch.... The Republican hero of 1994 ..Speaker of the House Tom (The hammer)Delay?

(CNN) -- Jury selection is scheduled to begin Tuesday in the trial of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who is charged with illegally funneling corporate money to help elect GOP candidates to the Texas legislature.

The Republican was indicted in 2005 on charges he illegally sent $190,000 in corporate money through the Republican National Committee to help elect GOP Texas legislative candidates in 2002.

Both of them are useless and obnoxious. Women like these 2 are the reason people do not take women seriously in this country. I for one, could care less what either one of them have to say about anything, unless they are going to say they are leaving DC , then I will consider listening. I see Moochelle is wearing one of her bathing suit coverups or is it a shift? Whatever it is , it is tacky as usual.

I think we can all agree that Mr. Obama is a fiscal extremist with few qualms about putting America's young people in the hock of hostile foreign governments via foolish borrowing, and reckless wasting, of monies from the Chinese communist government.

I think we can all agree that Mr. Obama is a fiscal extremist with few qualms about putting America's young people in the hock of hostile foreign governments via foolish borrowing, and reckless wasting, of monies from the Chinese communist government.

I think we can all agree that Mr. Obama is a fiscal extremist with few qualms about putting America's young people in the hock of hostile foreign governments via foolish borrowing, and reckless wasting, of monies from the Chinese communist government.